Cabin fever can hit the homeschool family in January. It's a time when family pets and parents feel like nesting in front of a cozy fire! But kids don't usually feel that way. With so much energy, it's a good time to measure and mix in the kitchen. Math skills can be developed while creating recipes for creative and fun play.
Flubber Fun
1 cup Elmer's white glue
1 1/3 cup warm water
food coloring
2 tsp. Borax
2 glass bowls
In one bowl, mix the glue, 2/3 cup warm water, and food coloring together. In the other bowl, mix the Borax with the remaining 2/3 cup warm water. Pour the glue solution into the bowl containing the Borax mixture. Stir until mixed. Then, let mixture rest so that the stretchy flubber can set.
Enjoy hours of creative fun with your kids!
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon powdered alum
- 1 cup cold water
- Few drops oil of wintergreen or oil of cloves
- Food coloring (optional)
Mix flour, salt and alum. Gradually stir in water. Then add oil and food coloring. Knead until mixture is well mixed. Store in a tightly covered container. Keep in refrigerator until ready to use.
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon powdered alum
- 1 quart water
- 3 drops of wintergreen or oil of cloves
Mix flour, sugar and alum. Add water gradually. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in oil. Cool. Store in a covered jar until ready to use.
Not to eat!
When I was a child, my first grade reading book was Dick and Jane and they had a dog named Spot and a cat named Puff. I always thought Puff was a cute name for a cat! But this post isn’t about reading or about cats. It’s about a fun art project that uses ingredients mixed together that creat a paint that puffs up when microwaved. How fun is that? Here’s the recipe. May it keep your children happily entertained for at least an hour or two!
In a small bowl, combine:
2 Tbsp. self-raising flour
6 drops of food coloring
2 Tbsp. salt
Add enough water to make into a creamy paste. Using a paint brush or sponge, create a design on tagboard or cardboard. Make another ‘batch’ of puffy paint in other colors if desired. Paint, paint, paint. When done, microwave the design on high for 15 – 30 seconds. The paint will puff and should dry completely.
*To make your own self-raising flour, blend 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 Tbsp. baking powder.
